Social activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday described Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as a “victory for democracy” and a powerful example of the power of peaceful public engagement.
“It is a victory for democracy – direct democracy… straight from the streets. It is a victory for peace, patience and perseverance. Congratulations to the Chinese Communist Party, Generation Z of the nation, and thank you to all citizens for shedding fear and fear and rising from every corner of the nation. From accountability, now to reforms,” Wangchuk said in his statement.
Pradhan resigns
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of massive student protests in Delhi demanding his resignation over examination irregularities, particularly leaking of NEET-UG papers.
Read also | ‘Thank you for calling us cockroaches’: Abhijit Debaki’s letter to CJI Surya Kant as Modi govt capitulates and minister resigns
Pradhan announced his resignation from the position at X. He said he took the decision keeping the future of the students in mind. “…To ensure that anti-national elements do not take advantage of the situation in Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, and that students in India do not get bogged down in legal complexities and focus on their studies and careers, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister…”, the letter said.
Celebrations at Jantar Mantar
Celebrations erupted at Jantar Mantar when news of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation reached the protest site, and CJP chief Abhijit Debaki looked visibly relieved.
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Debke, who led the protest demanding Pradhan’s resignation and broader education reforms in the wake of the alleged paper leaks, received a phone call about the resignation.
“We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned,” Debki told the crowd.
He later said: “This is a big win. It shows that the country is run under the Constitution. This is just the beginning.”
Abhijit Debaki’s letter to CJI Surya Kant
“Thanks for calling us cockroaches.” That was Abhijit Debaki’s message on Saturday to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, delivered from the Jantar Mantar dais, minutes after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister under pressure from the movement that owes its origin and name to remarks made by India’s chief justice.
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“I would like to thank CGI Surya Kant. If he had not called us cockroaches, I would not have come to India. This movement would not have started,” the founder of the Kokruche Janta Party told his supporters.
This commentary traces the movement to its point of origin, the May 15 Supreme Court hearing on the appointment of senior advocate, during which the CJI noted that “there are young people who are like cockroaches, who are not getting any work and have no place in the profession.” Kant later said that the remark was only directed at holders of fake law degrees, not the widespread unemployed youth.
He has since reiterated that sections of the media misquoted him. The clarifications did little to prevent the statement from spreading widely.
